Stand the Storms: A Century of German Baptist Brethren in Carroll County

By Eric Flora

A single church organized in Carroll County, Indiana in 1828 evolved into multiple denominations including the Brethren Church, Church of God, Church of the Brethren, Dunkard Brethren, Old Brethren, Old German Baptist Brethren, and Old (Order) German Baptist by 1928. The Delphi Journal reported: "The Dunkard people are as fine a lot of people as one will find and in every community should be treasured highly. Carroll County is proud of her settlement of these people, and they have long ago established the reputation of being the best, truest, most accommodating and industrious of all people." Some of those people included the Clingenpeel, Cripe, Eikenberry, Flora, Harter, Kingery, Kuns, Landis, Metzger, Miller, Myer, Snoeberger, Ulery/Ulrey, Wagoner, and Wise families.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350920512

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Stand the Storms

©2023 Eric Flora

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 979-8-35092-050-5

eBook ISBN 979-8-35092-051-2

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Early Settlers

Chapter 2: Church Organization

Conservatives (Church of the Brethren)

Chapter 3: Bachelor Run/Deer Creek Fraternity of German Baptists

Chapter 4: Pyrmont Church of the Brethren

Chapter 5: New Lancaster Meeting House

Chapter 6: Bachelor Run Church of the Brethren

Chapter 7: Lower Deer Creek Church of the Brethren

Chapter 8: Flora Church of the Brethren

Chapter 9: Delphi Church of the Brethren

Chapter 10: Oak Grove and Patton Preaching Points

New Dunkers (Church of God)

Chapter 11: Church of God Organization

Chapter 12: Oak Grove Church of God

Chapter 13: Patton Church of God

Chapter 14: Lockport Church of God

Chapter 15: Radnor Church of God

Chapter 16: Delphi Church of God

Old Orders (Old German Baptist Brethren)

Chapter 17: Bachelor Run Old German Baptist Brethren

Chapter 18: Deer Creek Old German Baptist Brethren

Chapter 19: North Fork Old German Baptist Brethren

Progressives (Brethren Church)

Chapter 20: Salem Brethren Church

Chapter 21: Flora Brethren Church

Chapter 22: Darwin Brethren Church

Chapter 23: Burlington Brethren Church

Chapter 24: Brethren Home

Other Groups (Dunkard Brethren, Old Brethren, and Old (Order) German Baptist)

Chapter 25: Nebo Union Church House

Chapter 26: Flora Dunkard Brethren

Chapter 27: Deer Creek Old Brethren

Chapter 28: Deer Creek Old (Order) German Baptist

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Selected Bibliographies

Index

Dedicated to my Old German Baptist Brethren great grandparents – Alfred and Lula Flora, Rosa Scholl (initially joined the Brethren Church), Noah and Mary Flora, and Chester and Opal Kuns.

Introduction

While researching the John and Sarah Flora family, I stumbled upon church events and people I wanted to know more about. This book will only cover the first hundred years, beginning with organization in 1828. The focus is on Carroll County with the acknowledgment that the churches also included parts of surrounding counties at various times.

You will find snapshots of various people and church activities rather than a comprehensive history. This may not be an accurate representation of the average church member. The average church member farmed or operated a small business and lived a quiet life. Those who received attention were often at the other ends of the spectrum.

Some churches used and still use the term pastor and reverend. Others never adopted either term. I have not used either of the terms but have left them when using a direct quote from another source. The churches also use the term elder differently, and I have also avoided using the term to avoid confusion. I updated the spelling and punctuation in some of the direct quotes to enhance readability.

A section exists for each group, and an Other group. In 1848, the New Dunkers or Church of God left the original church. Thirty-three years later, the Old Orders or Old German Baptist Brethren left. In 1883, the Progressives or Brethren Church went their own way. The original church, the German Baptist Brethren, acquired the moniker Conservatives following the 1881 and 1883 upheaval. The first hundred years start now.

Chapter 1:

Early Settlers

Four Mile was the first German Baptist Brethren church established in Indiana Territory (Union County) in 1809. Seven years later, Indiana became the 19th state. The establishment of the second German Baptist Brethren church, Wayne County’s Nettle Creek , occurred in 1820. Within four years, the first settlers began moving into what would become known as Carroll County. Organized in 1827, Carroll County received its name from the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charle s Carroll .

Many times, early settlers came to the area and identified the land they wished to settle on before filing for the land in Crawfordsville. Government surveyors had previously located section lines and marked trees. Thus, someone could scout the area, find suitable land, and then file at Crawfordsville. By the early to mid-1830s, German Baptist Brethren settlers and others were pouring into Carroll County. I only included those settlers who came in the mid – to late-1820s.

The fall and winter of 1826 challenged the settlers. Heavy August rains made it difficult to prepare their cabins and livestock shelters for freezing weather. That winter, livestock froze to death because of the cold and the lack of shelter. The settlers also suffered while spending a miserable winter in their ill-prepared cabins. Some of the early German Baptist Brethren pioneers in what would become the Camden and Flora area included:

John Kuns, son of John George Kuns, Jr. and Elizabeth Cripe, was born in 1794 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He was one of the first German Baptist Brethren settlers in Carroll County. He married Hannah Wolf, daughter of Leonard Wolf and Catherine Cripe, in 1816 in Montgomery County, Ohio. In May 1825, John filed on four pieces of Carroll County land at the Crawfordsville land office. Samuel Ulrey, also of Montgomery County, Ohio, filed on land at the same time. In March 1849, O.P.Q. wrote in The Weekly Times: In 1826, General Milroy, Samuel Wise, John Adams, and John Kuns, removed to this County. In July 1855, The Delphi Weekly Times shared that in late September or October 1826: Our neighborhood received considerable accession by […] Messrs. Atkinson, McDowell, John Kuns, and the late Gen. Milroy, with their families, and probably some others not named; also, a number of young men. The Weekly Delphi Times gave an earlier date and shared: Rock Creek Township was organized in ’28. John Kuns is supposed to have been the first settler in ’25. He built a flour mill and operated a tannery. After Hannah’s death in 1858, John married Catherine Shively. John died in 1865 in Macon County, Illinois. Catherine died ten years later in Piatt County, Illinois.

Samuel Wise, son of John Wise and Mary Gripe, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in 1781. He married Elizabeth Wolf, daughter of Leonard Wolf and Catherine Cripe, in 1807 in Montgomery County, Ohio. She was born in 1786 in Huntingdon County and died in 1839 in Carroll County. Samuel filed on land at the Crawfordsville land office in March 1826. The Weekly Times noted: James Allridge […] came […] to Carroll county in November 1828. At that time, Gen. Milroy, […] Samuel Wise and John Odell, were residing on the road between the points now known as Delphi and Camden. Samuel soon erected a sawmill and had it operational in 1829. He eventually owned over 1,400 acres in Carroll County before passing away in 1841. Samuel, a deacon, and Elizabeth’s son, Samuel Jr. died in 1829, and the family buried him at the accident spot, which is known today as Wise Cemetery. After killing a deer, Samuel Jr. threw the deer on his horse and the deer’s antler gouged the horse, and the horse threw 17-year-old Samuel off. Their unmarried daughter, Susannah, donated land for the Deer Creek Old German Baptist Brethren meeting house.

David Harter, son of George Harter and Mary Kitterman, was born in 1781 in Maryland and married Polly Beckner in 1804. In 1827, they moved from Ohio to the Lafayette area, while David looked for a place to settle in Carroll County. David soon started building a grist mill along Bachelor Run. Goldie Harter wrote: There were no stone cutters or iron workers in Carroll County that could do true enough work, so the mill wheels and iron work had to come from Crawfordsville. When the mill framework was ready and stones placed, every available man from miles around came to help. The men that came numbered seventeen. David died in 1842. Polly married John Hart three years later and died in 1863.

Peter Eyman, Jr., son of minister Peter Eyman, Sr. and Hannah Whetstone, was born in February 1794 in Bedford County, Virginia. Peter Jr. married Susannah Henderson, daughter of James Henderson and Ann Caldwell, in September 1814 in Ohio. Susannah was born in Virginia in 1798 and died in May 1851. Peter was the first minister at the Montgomery County, Ohio, church in 1827. The following year, he moved to Carroll County. Peter was a founding member of the Church of God, New Dunkers. He died in Carroll County in 1852.

Peter Replogle, son of John Replogle and Maria Koenig, was born in 1785 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Shively, daughter of Christian Shively and Susannah Cripe. Peter was a minister, farmer, and operated a sawmill. He moved to Carroll County about 1828. The same year, the German Baptist Brethren began holding services in his: barn east of Delphi along Deer Creek. Peter moved to Cerro Gordo, Illinois, in 1856, where he operated a drug store and started the town’s first bank. Peter died in 1861 in Macon County, Illinois, and Elizabeth died two years later.

Pennsylvania-born John Hoff married Nancy Bair and about 1824, John left Pennsylvania for Ohio. Jeff Hoff wrote that when John arrived in Carroll County, about 1828, he only owned two horses and a wagon. John later inherited money from his parent’s estate, which allowed him to purchase 240 acres. John died in 1867.

John Flora may have arrived in Carroll County as early as October 1827. I think the actual date may be 1829. John, son of Abraham Flora and Nancy Overholtzer, was born in 1802 in Franklin County, Virginia. He married Sarah Harter, daughter of John Harter and Sarah Webb, in 1826. Goldie Harter cited an 1874 Illustrated County Atlas which noted: The first settlement in Monroe township was made by John Flora, Sr. in 1827, near where Flora Station now stands. There were […] no houses between him and the White River. Obituaries for their two oldest children showed John and Sarah came to the Flora area in 1829. Mary Polly’s obituary noted that there were only two other families living in what would later become Monroe Township when the family arrived. Both families had arrived in 1828. John served as a deacon and died in 1875. Sarah died three years later.

Philip Kingery probably arrived in Carroll County about 1829. Philip Kingery, son of Jacob Kingery and Barbara Lybrook, was born in April 1811 in Virginia. In August 1828, he married Sarah Eikenberry, daughter of Henry Eikenberry and Betsy Kingery, in Union County. Sarah died in August 1872 and Philip married Mary Wilson in 1876. He died in October 1898.

German Baptist Brethren settlers in the southwest portion of the county in what would become Clay Township included:

Esther Wagoner, daughter of Jacob Greib and Elizabeth Ulrich, married Johanes Wagoner, son of Phillip and Regina Waggoner. Johanes died in 1818 in Montgomery County, Ohio. In an 1828 deed, the heirs of Johanes sold land to James Olinger. Presumably, the family left for Carroll County soon after. Esther died in July 1834.

Esther’s niece and nephew, Catharine and John Cripe, were also part of the group. John, son of Jacob Cripe and Barbra Shidler, married Catharine Stutzman, daughter of David Stutzman and Susannah Martin, in 1797. Catharine died in 1849 and John died seven years later.

Esther’s son-in-law Joel Fouts, son of Peter Fouts and Catherine Younce, arrived with the rest of the family. He married Mary Wagoner. Mary died in 1852 and Joel died in 1871.

Esther and Johanes’ son, John Wagoner, Jr, or Wagonner, as is on his tombstone, built a sawmill in Clay Township about 1830. John married Mary Weybright, daughter of Martin Weybright and Mary Geiger, in 1812. Mary died in 1822 and John married Mary Cripe, daughter of John Cripe and Catharine Stutzman. John died in 1848.

A few German Baptist Brethren settled just across the county line in Tippecanoe County. Some of those included:

Christian Replogle, the son of Peter Replogle and Elizabeth Shively, was born in 1807 and died in December 1854 in Tippecanoe County. He married Barbara Ulery, daughter of David Ulery and Susan Wolf, in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1828 and they moved to Indiana the same year. Barbara died in April 1846 and Christian then married Frances Mahan. Christian died in December 1854.

John Edward Shively, son of Jacob Ulrich Shively and Elizabeth Martin, was born in December 1805 in Montgomery County, Ohio. He married Esther Ulrey, daughter of David Ulery and Susan Wolf, in 1825. Three years later, they moved to Indiana. Esther was born in April 1807 in Montgomery County, Ohio, and died in June 1879. John then married Elizabeth Eikenberry who died in 1911. John died and his 1894 obituary noted: […] he and fifteen other persons, eleven of whom were members of the church, moved to Tippecanoe County […]. Eld. Shively was elected to the ministry in 1830 […]. He had charge […] of North Fork church, Fairview church and the Lower Deer Creek church […].

David Ulery, son of David and Barbara Ulrey, was born March 1779 in Maryland and died November 1849 in Tippecanoe County. He married Susan Wolf, daughter of Leonard Wolf and Catharine Cripe, in 1801 in Pennsylvania. Susan was born in 1782 in Maryland and died in September 1845 in Tippecanoe County. David’s son, Isaac, shared: David Ulery, a deacon, moved by wagon from Ohio (Montgomery County) in 1828 and settled four miles west of Pyrmont, on the South banks of the Wildcat Creek in Tippecanoe County […]. David hosted the settler’s first communion service in his barn in 1831.

Samuel Ulery, son of David Ulery and Susan Wolf, was born in February 1803 in Montgomery County, Ohio and died in October 1833 in Tippecanoe County. He married Elizabeth Metzger, daughter of Jacob Metzger and Mary Puterbaugh in 1824. Elizabeth was born in 1806 and died in 1879. Samuel filed on land in May 1825 at Crawfordsville.

Samuel Wagoner, son of Johanes Wagoner and Esther Cripe, was born in 1808 in Montgomery County, Ohio. Samuel married Katharine Ulrey in 1834 in Tippecanoe County. She died soon after; and he married Catherine Metzger, daughter of Andreas Metzger and Mary Urich, two years later in Montgomery County, Ohio. Samuel died in 1869 in St. Clair County, Missouri. Catherine died in 1891 in Clinton County.

Lee Kuns believed John Kuns’ father, John George Kuns, Jr. may have moved from Ohio into Tippecanoe County in 1825 or 1826. About 1830, George moved near Rockfield, in Carroll County. George, son of John George Kuntz and Anna Sierer, married Elizabeth Cripe, daughter of John Cripe, Sr. and Elizabeth Rench, in 1773. George’s son, Jacob, also lived in Carroll County. However, I do not know if Jacob was a member of the German Baptist Brethren church. George’s daughter, Elizabeth Kuns, and her husband Emanuel Flory, son of Henry Flory and Anna Keagy, moved to Carroll County in 1827, but they may not have been church members. George died in 1842 and his wife died in 1854.

*****

Who were the German Baptist Brethren? Where did they come from? Eight people, including minister Alexander Mack, founded the new movement in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany. The Christian Hall of Fame website shared: Following careful study of scripture, Mack found himself out of harmony with the three state churches of Germany because of their formality, laxity in practice, and failure to observe all the New Testament teachings.

Denmark-based organization, Mercy Upon All, wrote Alexander: held to the rejection of any coercion in religion, infant baptism, and saw the New Testament as their only Rule of Faith. Britannica noted: The brotherhood was shaped by three influences-the Protestant faith in which its organizers had been raised, the Pietist reform movement, and Anabaptist teachings from the 16th century.

The Logansport Daily Journal reported in 1883: […] persecution drove all of them to Krefeld, Holland, and Friesland. And still the fires of persecution burned after them until in 1719 twenty families fled to America […]. From this small number the church grew […].

Chapter 2:

Church Organization

Peter Eyman likely preached the first Carroll County German Baptist Brethren sermon in 1828, either outside or in one of the settler’s cabin or barn. If all the local church members attended his first service, 11 families comprising 66 individuals may have been present. However, because of the distance between the members, it is unlikely any of the early meetings had full attendance. Peter traveled between the homes of various members to preach. He also held services at his home place.

They were organized, at least partially, into a county-wide church in 1828. This would have also included those who lived in surrounding counties, mainly Tippecanoe. A minister and deacon would have been in the county by this date, giving them the ability to manage church matters. And the local churches have used 1828 as the organizational date. A 1947 article in The Hoosier Democrat shared: In the year 1828 […], the Brethren came to this territory from Dayton, Ohio. Elders Jacob Brower and John Garber came to the Wildcat territory and held a church election. It is thought that in 1830 a congregation of brethren was organized, with Peter Eyman as Elder.

The earliest account from the German Baptist Brethren perspective is Samuel Humberd’s 1898 account: Peter Eyman, a minister in the 2nd degree and Samuel Wise, a deacon, settled on Deer Creek […] and David Ulery, a deacon on Wildcat […] in 1828. An election was held on Deer Creek for a minister and Peter Replogle was elected and one on Wildcat for deacon and Samuel Ulery was elected in 1829. Samuel continued: An organization was formed on Bachelor Run in 1830 or 1831. John Shively and Samuel Ulery elected minister in 1830 living on Wildcat. John Metzger elected minister living on Wildcat in 1835. Wildcat members organized themselves about this time.

The Delphi Oracle shared in June 1869: The Dunker Church was organized, about the same time (1827), by Rev. Peter Eyman, who, having no Church building, preached in the settlers’ cabins. Three years later, historian James Stewart wrote: The ‘Dunker’ Church was organized in the Fall of 1827, by Peter Eyman, who was the first preacher. Having no meeting house, he preached at John Kuns,’ Samuel Wise’s, and also at the house of other brethren.

In March 1917, The Hoosier Democrat reported: The ‘Wild Cat’ country was the scene of the active operations early in the last century and about the year 1831 the congregation still known as the ‘Bachelor Run’ church was organized. The Pyrmont church […] was carved out of the old ‘Wild Cat’ church […]. Thomas Helm wrote in 1884: Among the early settlers of Monroe, a majority were adherents of that religious order denominated German Baptists, and the first religious meetings in the settlement were conducted under the auspices of that society. As early as 1830 or 1832, they united and formed an organization at the house of one of their members, and regularly thereafter held meetings at private houses or in barns.

J.G. Stinebaugh wrote: In 1830, two Elders, Garber and Brower of Ohio, visited the Brethren in this wilderness and assisted in organizing the church on Wild-Cat and this one on Deer Creek and Bachelor’s Run. George Patton was elected Minister […].

Historian Thomas Helm shared: The organization of the society was accomplished almost imperceptibly, and without formality, so that it is difficult to assign that event to any particular date. Prior to the year 1831, the meetings had been held only at irregular intervals, but in that year Mr. Eyman began to conduct religious services on every alternate Sunday, sometimes at his own house […].

In 1831, the group celebrated their first communion in David Ulery’s barn, in Tippecanoe County. Clay Township and Tippecanoe County German Baptist Brethren settlers formed their own church district the next year. Prior to 1831, five townships-Adams, Deer Creek, Jackson, Rock Creek, and Tippecanoe-composed Carroll County. And the remaining settlers, mostly in what today we know as the Camden and Flora area, organized into their own district.

As the national organization did not adopt an official name, Fraternity of German Baptists, until 1836, the early settlers may not have been concerned about church names such as Bachelor Run, Deer Creek, or North Fork. No property was yet owned by the churches, as they met in homes and barns, so official church names on land deeds were unimportant.

To simplify identifying the churches, I refer to the first organization as the Carroll County Church. This also included those living just west of the county line in Tippecanoe County, as well as others in the surrounding counties. I labeled the two 1832 churches as Wildcat Church and Bachelor Run/Deer Creek Church. I only used these names for ease in distinguishing between the groups.

Carroll County Church

Notes:

Name is used to identify the church that existed at the 1828 organization. Nationally, the church did not adopt an official name, Fraternity of German Baptists, until 1836.

I used these names for ease of identification only. Any actual name is unknown.

Wildcat Church

Notes:

Nationally, the church did not adopt an official name, Fraternity of German Baptists, until 1836. In 1871, they changed the name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed their name in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren. They changed their name from North Fork to the Pyrmont German Baptist Brethren in 1900. Eight years later, they changed the name to the Pyrmont Church of the Brethren.

Tippecanoe County

Second meeting house. It was never a stand-a-lone church district. I used New Lancaster for identification purposes only. Often referred to it as Brick house, house near Owasco, East house, country house, or upper house.

Clinton County

Middle Fork/North Fork Old German Baptist Brethren Church

Notes:

Clinton County

Bachelor Run/Deer Creek Church

Notes:

In 1871, they changed their name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed their name in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren.

Church of God (New Dunkers)

Notes:

In 1871, they changed the name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed their name in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren.

Bachelor Run Fraternity of German Baptists

Notes:

In 1871, they changed the name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed their name in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren.

Second house or Town House of Bachelor Run church until 1911.

Delphi became a mission point in 1920 and a Church of the Brethren congregation in 1921.

Changed name to Gravel Hill Dunkard Brethren in 1930.

Bachelor Run Fraternity of German Baptists

Notes:

In 1871, they changed the name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed their name in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren.

Deer Creek Fraternity of German Baptists

Notes:

Changed name to Lower Deer Creek in 1854. In 1871, the name changed to the German Baptist Brethren. In 1908, they changed name to Lower Deer Creek Church of the Brethren.

Cass County. In 1871, they changed the name to the German Baptist Brethren. They changed the name to Upper Deer Creek Church of the Brethren in 1908.

They changed the name in 1941 to the Old Order German Baptist Church.

Conservatives

(Church of the Brethren)

Chapter 3:

Bachelor Run/Deer Creek

Fraternity of German Baptists

The single county-wide church became two church districts, Wildcat and Bachelor Run/Deer Creek in 1832. About 1834, minister John Myer moved from Union County. A year later, Jacob Flora arrived from Ohio. Anna Flora shared how Jacob told his brother John : You have built houses for yourselves but none for the Lord. Soon they built a log cabin on the southeast corner of the Pikes Peak intersection. A year after the completion of the log cabin meeting house, the church members elected John Flora as deacon. The log cabin story will continue elsewhere.

Unfortunately, ministers Peter Eyman and Peter Replogle soon found themselves at odds with each other. The members elected Peter Replogle as minister in 1829, while Peter Eyman was already a minister when he moved from Ohio. Samuel Humberd wrote:

Trouble started between Peter Eyman and Peter Replogle, which resulted in the division of territory, and Deer Creek church was organized with a crooked dividing line running between said ministers in 1838. Members could take their choice where to hold their membership then, but no crossing the line afterward. Trouble and contention appeared to grow in the church. Peter Replogle and John Hart on one side and Peter Eyman on the other. Each having their followers. Eyman holding to some views not in harmony with the general order of the church, among other things he opposed the questions being asked the applicant in the water and the supper.

Based on the size of the territory for Bachelor Run, it appears some of Peter Eyman’s views were not unpopular among many of the church members.

Difficulties continued after the creation of the two church districts. Otho Winger wrote: The trouble between Eyman and Replogle did not stop with this arrangement. The membership was divided in their views. To add to the feeling, Elder Eyman began to advocate views not in harmony with the general practice of the church. Others sympathized with him and became quite free to speak their convictions. Irregularities and confusion ensued […].

The church elected George Patton as minister in 1838. Perhaps the election happened after the creation of Bachelor Run and Deer Creek. Ten years later, George played a prominent role in organizing the Church of God.

Chapter 4:

Pyrmont Church

of the Brethren

According to Otho Winger , North Fork: in 1832 […] was fully organized. There were sixteen members. Meetings were held every two weeks at the cabins or barns of members, and in pleasant weather they worshiped in the groves […]. Historian James Stewart shared: Mr. Eyman was the first preacher. John Shively and Samuel Ulery were next, and David Ulery visiting minister. The church district included the areas around Pyrmont, Owasco, Edna Mills, Heath, and Rossville.

In 1834, the same year he moved to Indiana, the church elected John Metzger as deacon. A year later, they elected him minister. John married Hannah Ulrich in Montgomery County, Ohio, on the last day of July 1828. They were both baptized a year or two later. After Hannah’s death in 1887, he married Permelia Wolfe. M.M. Eshelman shared: In White County […] he preached his first sermon in a saw-mill. He had six hearers. It is said that the noise of the waters almost hushed his voice. But he kept on preaching, and, in due time, he had the joy of seeing souls won to Jesus, and a church organized. There were eight sisters and two brethren. White County was part of the Bachelor Run church district until 1865.

John Metzger met both President-elect Abraham Lincoln and President Benjamin Harrison. M.M. Eshelman wrote: […] when Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States, Uncle John went to see him […]. During the talk with the President, he told him he had often preached on the Tippecanoe battleground where the President’s grandfather (General William Henry Harrison) had routed the red men. The President seemed pleased and said he was very glad that Uncle John had called to see him.

They divided the church district into Middle Fork and North Fork, in 1845. John Hess wrote: There were only two elders in the districts, John Shively and John Metzger. Both […] lived in Tippecanoe County […]. Without any action on part of the church, John Metzger proposed to John Shively that he take his choice of the church to preside over, and he (John Metzger) would take the other. John Hess continued: John Shively said he would take the home church, which left Middle Fork to the charge of John Metzger. John Shively, therefore, was the first elder of the North Fork district, and John Metzger was the first elder of Middle Fork. Soon after this, John Metzger moved into the Middle Fork district.

The Gospel Messenger shared: In 1852, the first church, forty feet by sixty feet, was built after Jacob Wagoner donated land. Daniel and Jacob Wagoner and Christian Shively were on the building committee. A Communion was held as the opening service.

In November 1870, Isaac Billheimer reported on a communion service: There were many members present, as well as a very large number of spectators. All seemed to enjoy the meeting very much. Good order and attention was observed during the meeting. We remained here until the evening of the 16th […]. That night the house was very much crowded, and at the close of the meeting there was one applicant for baptism. Isaac continued: On the morning of the 17th, we returned to the meetinghouse at Pyrmont, where was another applicant. After preaching, baptism was administered to those two, making about 75 in number, added to the church at that place in ten months.

Two years later, the growing church separated into two districts and John Hess wrote: In 1872, the church located in Tippecanoe and Carroll County was divided. East of the county line was called North Fork and west of the county line was called Fairview. Elder John Shively had charge of both districts. Samuel Ulery shared in August 1873: About twelve months ago we mutually agreed to divide, and for a new district, and since that time we have built a new meeting house […].

They conducted the early church services in German. John Hess shared: […] several hymns in either language were used, and one minister would preach in German and one in English for the benefit of all present. By 1870, a majority of the church service was likely conducted in English. Bachelor Run may have been the first in Carroll County to move from preaching in German to English. However, German preaching occurred as late as 1883. Catherine Gibble noted three ministers preached in German at a communion service the same year. A year earlier, the church asked: to have a collection of German hymns made for the benefit of the German part of the church.

In May 1873, The Delphi Journal shared a story regarding a witch casting spells:

In the S.W. corner of Carroll county, lives an old man by the name of Fetter. This man is a member of the Dunkard Church and a widower. Becoming tired of his lonely way of living, he desired to have one of his sisters who is a widow, unite her worldly goods with his and make one heart out of their respective two. Some of the brethren objected to this, whereupon he went to Lafayette and consulted a witch who told him that by putting a horseshoe and some old iron in a certain liquid, his enemies would have to be reconciled within six weeks or some evil would befall them. He says it has worked to a charm, as some of his enemies are dead, others reconciled, and some are very sick. He himself has been lying very ill at the house of his inamorata to whom he told the story; whereupon she became frightened and sent for a number of the brethren to remove him to his own house. This ridiculous assertion on the part of the old man finds some believers among the superstitions portion of the community, and there is a great deal of excitement over the affair.

A month earlier, Daniel Cripe, a 57-year-old minister, had died with no mention of witches’ spells in his obituary.

Anna Troxell reported on her visit for October 1874 services and a council meeting: We were at two meetings in Pyrmont, had a season of pleasure there […]. We went to Pyrmont to council meeting, where there was an election held for a speaker and deacon. The lot fell on brother David Hufford for a speaker and brother Daniel Wagoner for deacon.

R.H. Miller reported on a late September 1876 committee meeting to settle difficulties: On Sunday evening we were conveyed to the North Fork of Wild Cat to meet Bro. George Cripe, as a committee, to settle some trouble between two churches. We chose Brother Daniel Wise on the committee, and when we heard the facts in the case, we soon made a decision, and had good solid reasons for it, which seemed to give entire satisfaction to both churches. Seven months later, S.R. Replogle noted: Church affairs were a little unpleasant some time ago, but recently we had a church meeting and elders from adjoining churches were called to our assistance. Elders George Cripe and John Shively from Fairview; Stephen Metzger and Leonard Wagoner from Middle Fork church, and Joseph Cripe from Warsaw were present and disposed of the difficulties according to the gospel and to general satisfaction, for which we feel to thank God. I do not know if Replogle referred to the same meeting mentioned by R.H. Miller. Based on the ministers involved, if the trouble was between churches, it may have been with Bachelor Run, the only other local district without committee representation.

In April 1877, S.R. Replogle provided an update on church activities: We have meeting here every two weeks. Every four weeks at Pyrmont and every four weeks at a meeting house not far away. We number about 120 with four speakers and five deacons. Our church is, I think, in a healthy condition at present. We have had no series of meetings up to this time and no additions to the church for some time.

Four months later, Short Tom wrote in The Delphi Journal: We fully agree with our Dunkard brethren in their plan of bringing slanderers in their church to justice, and we do think that there are others besides our Dunkard brethren who might at least profit by the advice of the apostle and desist from speaking evil of their Brethren especially until such evil is proven.

G.W. Cripe helped preach a group of meetings in May 1878 and shared: […] Elder Jacob Waggoner of Illinois and myself, held a series of meetings at Pyrmont. Continued nine days and baptized fourteen and one since. Had bad, rainy weather about all the time; yet the congregations were good, and the best of order prevailed during the meetings for a village of this size.

By October 1879, tensions were nearing a breaking point between the old orders and the main body of the church. Daniel Metzger wrote to The Vindicator regarding the upcoming communion: We hope to have it conducted in the primitive or old order. We hope the brethren who are in the order, and who contend for the primitive order, will come and be with us. We invite all such to come and be with us at that time. The Delphi Times reported: The Dunker meeting passed off without the usual amount of noise and quarreling, which is characteristic of such gatherings. Doubtless, the tranquility was due to the mammoth form of Frank Gresham. The brethren say he figured very conspicuously at the table. Twenty-four-year-old Frank lived in Delphi and listed his occupation as Deputy Sheriff.

David D.A. Hufford reported on a series of meetings in which they baptized 10 people in March 1880: Elder Isaac Billheimer and brother Sanford H. Saylor came to us and commenced meeting […], preaching the word with power. The result was, two young men were willing to join in with the people of God, making six in all since the 29th of January. D.A. continued: On the 29th, brethren Billheimer and Geo. W. Cripe commenced meeting in the old meetinghouse in Pyrmont and preached a week to a large and attentive congregation. Eight precious souls made the good confession and came out on the Lord’s side, fourteen added since the 29th of January.

D.A. reported on an early January 1881 business meeting: […] proceeded to business by calling on Aaron Ulery Jr. against which was a charge preferred for being intoxicated & using profane language & playing cards. The church, after an acknowledgement, forgave him with the promise that he would do so no more. Forgave him the trespass.

In early March, Isaac Cripe provided an exhortation […] against pride, and the filthy use of tobacco. On the last day of March, D.A. reported on another business meeting:

[…] exhortation by Eld. Isaac Cripe to a fair congregation of members. Exhorting with feeling to the satisfaction of all. […] business commenced by calling upon the Bros. Aaron Ulery & John Felix to report. Who reported the decision of the last church meeting to her (Mrs. Fritz) who expressed herself not willing to comply with what the Church asked of her. So the council of Church was taken again. The Church said with a strong voice bring both parties before the Church at the next church meeting. Face to face and let the church hear both sides of the question, so she may be more fully able to judge where the wrong is. A.J. Knee is also to appear at the next church meeting on charge of striking his Brother which charge he says is not true. Next in order was J.J. Shively’s case who has his life insured and has moved to another district of church. Asked for his letter of membership which the church has refused to give until he withdraws his policy from the Ins. Co. and presents it to the Church. At this meeting he thought to present the papers but failed. Asks the church to grant six months time yet. At the end of which the company has promised to deliver up his policy and all the money that he has paid in. The Church granted the time asked for, but that must be the end.

Another item of business at the late March meeting included: […] something was to be said reseating the Old Meeting House at Pyrmont, which had been under contemplation for some time and on account of some disagreement on the part of the committee appointed by the Church has not yet been done. D.A. continued: There was considerable said pro & con. Finally, the voice of the Church was taken, which brought the seats all on a level. Three seats at each end of the House were to be elevated which was the difficulty before.

The issue with the seats came back at a council meeting in mid-August. D.A. Hufford reported: First business is that which was not finished at the last Council Meeting. (Daniel) Metzger made full satisfaction to the church for stopping the reseating of the Old Meeting House in Pyrmont, which was not quite satisfactorily proven, the voice of the church was taken. A majority of our vote that he should make an acknowledgement which he did satisfactorily. D.A. continued: Second in order was a charge against D. Metzger, which was not quite satisfactorily proven. The voice of the church was taken. A majority of our vote that he should make an acknowledgement, which he did satisfactorily.

At the end of September, Daniel was still a topic of discussion. D.A. shared: First, in order was Daniel Metzger’s case, for working up a division in the church. Dan and his wife & 2 of his daughters withdrew from the church. The two daughters were likely 20-year-old Susanna and 16-year-old Barbara. Daniel married Catherine Ulery in 1856. He died in 1913 and Catherine died 11 years later. Daniel served as a deacon in the North Fork Old German Baptist Brethren Church.

In 1881, some members of North Fork accepted the Miami Resolutions and aligned themselves with the yet to be named Old German Baptist Brethren. What were the Miami Resolutions? The Church of the Brethren Network shared: This petition requested strict adherence to diminishing values that had formerly been a watermark of Brethren culture: simplicity, distinctive clothing, non-conformity with outside worldliness. Miami Valley Ohio elders further declared their unwillingness to accept additional progressive innovations.

D.A. Hufford reported in early October: First business on hand was unfinished business of last Council Meeting. A charge against all who went to the Secession Meeting at Abraham Wagoner’s Barn. Twelve more withdrew from the Church. One was disowned for not submitting to the council of the church and walking disorderly.

Some put the number of withdrawing members at 30 to 40, while others put the number much higher. Mary Wagoner wrote: Along about 1880, many members across our brotherhood were not in sympathy with the progress of the church in establishing Sunday Schools and planning for foreign missions work and more forward movements. Mary continued: So, across our entire brotherhood, there was a split and in the Pyrmont congregation, about 80 members removed their membership and went ½ mile south of the village and erected a house of worship […].

In August 1883, D.A. Hufford reported on cases against two church members: "First case disposed of was a report or charge against Bro. Jos. Cripe […]. Not true. Next charge